Governor signs bill reauthorizing RCA

Petroleum News Alaska

Gov. Tony Knowles signed House Bill 3001 Aug. 9, extending the Regulatory Commission of Alaska.

Reauthorization was approved by the Legislature in special session, and for only a single year. Without reauthorization, the RCA would have had one year to wrap up its business and disband.

HB 3001 makes a number of changes in how the RCA operates.

The governor formerly appointed the chair of the commission for a four-year term; the chair could not be appointed to successive terms. HB 3001 provides that the chair will be elected by members of the commission for a one-year term, may be elected to three successive terms and may be reelected after one year of not serving as chair.

HB 3001 also makes a number of other changes in statutes governing the RCA: it adds a section on impartial decision making; specifies that the commission shall issue final orders within six months of the filing of complete applications; allows for issuance of orders without hearings if settlements are supported by all parties of record; and establishes a task force to inquire into the operation of the RCA and present a written report to the Legislature no later than Jan. 30, 2003.

The task force will have seven members, three appointed by the president of the Senate, three by the speaker of the House and one by the governor.

The RCA regulates public utilities by certifying qualified providers of public utility and pipeline services and ensuring that they provide safe and adequate services and facilities at just and reasonable rates, terms and conditions. The commission also determines the eligibility and the per kilowatt-hour support for electric utilities under the Power Cost Equalization program.